by SymphonieOnline gaming has become one of the more popular avenues people use to blow off steam. After a hard day of work, settling down in an immersive and theme-driven combat-prone video game is most people’s top choice for relaxation.
Mimicking the actual world, these video games have certain themes and references that make the users feel like they are driving their world’s systems. Cyberpunk 2077 comes from a list of similarly titled games with different variations. Does this latest instalment have any references to weed use and themes in general?
Gaming and Cannabis Use
Many gamers attest to their use of cannabis during their time online. If you visit sites such as https://askgrowers.com/ you will see several strains they advocate for online gamers. The idea behind mixing these two recreational activities has sufficient support from gamers worldwide.
As the legal status of cannabis and its by-products has changed, people have become more lenient about using the same. According to Mashable, there is a lack of scientific research regarding weed gaming. Though users continue to laud the drug for their improved plays, a limited amount of research exists. One of the studies argued that players were at least as good at gaming while high compared to when sober.
Regarding the number of studies on general cannabis use, there is speculation that the legal status of THC could be the main reason. Cannabis has, for decades, since the 1970s, been considered a Schedule 1 drug. Despite the legalization of CBD, certain restrictions still limit wholesome research into its uses. Considering that the federal government usually pays for such studies, it is highly unlikely that the number of studies will increase without changes to the legal standing of cannabis.
Despite all these restrictions, it is important to note that gamers are advocating for using THC and CBD by other gamers. Their main reasons are that the compounds relax, and some strains increase their focus. For other users, smoking weed before a game enhances their immersion into the virtual world.
WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) played a major role in enhancing CBD use by gamers and athletes worldwide. Before passing the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD and THC were both on the list of prohibited compounds for athletes. After passing in 2018, WADA changed its list in 2019. It is now legal for athletes to use CBD and compete at national and international levels. This aspect also applies to e-sports gamers.
Ultimately, players and gamers, to be more specific, have a lot to benefit from using marijuana products in their games. The benefits range from increased focus to easing anxiety and stress. The result of these benefits is that the players can concentrate on the game and play better.
Marijuana References in the CyberPunk 2077 Realm
The Cyberpunk franchise has its basis in a story by Bruce Bethke that came out in 1982. The 80s are a major source of reference for most of the world, but the game variations center their narratives in the future. Several releases have been made, including Cyberpunk 2020, Edgerunners, Cyberpunk Red, Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk 2013 etc.
The dystopian setting of these games exposes players to different scenarios where they have to fight gang members, accrue points, and live by the rules of this dystopian world. In Cyberpunk 2077, the story follows the player as they interact with the various characters. Players can make changes to their characters and interact with whomever they want.
Regarding drugs, Cyberpunk 2077’s reality exposes the players to the viciousness of drugs. Players can suffer withdrawals, addiction, and even overdoses. The common types of drugs in the city include Blue Glass, Synth Coke, Stim, and more. Synthetic drugs are a common aspect as the ecosystem got destroyed. Companies such as Biotechnica produce wheat grains, which provide the realm with alcohol.
On matters to do with cannabis, there are very few references to the use of the same in the game. Though initial installations had groups that grew and sold cannabis, Cyberpunk 2077 does not explicitly mention the same. Regarding references, it is highly clear that smoking is a major part of the game. There are no clear distinctions whether the people are smoking tobacco or cannabis.
In recent news, the developers have been looking into adding the same as a drug more explicitly. Due to customer complaints, the developers are advertising the availability of some locally available drugs, such as weed. Future game developments could see players grow marijuana farms or access synthetic varieties.
The general theme of smoking, which can be alluded to as weed, is another common fixture. For instance, to join the Maelstorm group, users get initiated by smoking. Also, the game keeps encouraging characters to smoke every so often. This tendency is attributable to the ’80s setting the game borrows its theme from. At the time, a huge population was smokers, evident in Cyberpunk 2077 as people smoke freely.
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Strains that Go Well with Cyberpunk 2077 and Other Online Games
Now that we have looked at how smoking gets regarded within the game, it is time to look at how you can enhance your play from the outside. The general idea of getting high before a video game is to have a more immersive experience. You can use the following strains before logging into your virtual gaming world.
Lemon Haze
Lemon Haze is a Sativa-dominant hybrid that is suitable for players. The strain contains limonene which is an energizing and uplifting terpene. It burns in a sweet citrus aroma with no skunky undertone. Players who use Lemon Haze often report feeling energetic and highly focused. It can accommodate high-paced video game action, which may necessitate quick decision-making. Overall, it offers an immersive experience for players.
Sour Diesel
Like Lemon Haze, this is another Sativa dominant strain. As you may know, Sativa strains have an uplifting and energizing effect. Sour Diesel offers a mind and body high that leaves the user with a cerebral high. The results can last for hours, which a player needs for long sessions. As the name suggests, it burns with a diesel-like smell. It is also very common among creative individuals.
Grandaddy Purple
Grandaddy Purple is an Indica strain that has sweet and grape-tasting undertones. It is popular for its relaxing effects on users. Due to its soothing nature, this strain is more suitable for slow-paced games. The relaxation occurs at both the mind and body levels. Using the same for long gaming sessions is not advisable as you may feel tired and sleepy after some time.
Durban Mango
This hybrid is a mix of the Durban and Mango strains. It is a highly uplifting Sativa that can get used by high-paced gamers. Durban Mango is rightly potent to the point that it offers a relaxing yet upbeat mind and body high. Users report that they can play for hours on end after a few puffs of the same. Also, its highly uplifting nature makes the players focused, so nothing in the game fazes them.
OG Kush
OG Kush is among the most common strains used in the gaming world. As an Indica-dominant hybrid, it offers the relaxing side of Indica strains and mild euphoria. The strain is recommendable for games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Assassin’s Creed. Its sedative effects allow the player to relax and focus primarily on their game. It does away with tiredness and fatigue, allowing one to immerse oneself in the game fully.
Super Silver Haze
With parent strains like Nothern Lights, Haze, and Skunk, this Sativa strain is among the most popular in gaming. Its effects are uplifting and offer a boost in terms of creativity. Due to its potency, the cerebral high is long-lasting and can be felt hours after the initial smoke. The strain boosts players’ focus in their virtual world, equipping them with the strength and mindset needed to navigate it.
Conclusion
The reality of most games these days is that there are inclusions of the basic world in their virtual existence. Players tend to look for references or themes that represent the world as they know it in these games. Cyberpunk 2077 deals with many pieces, including corruption and capitalism. Previous installations of the franchise have had clear references to the marijuana culture. Cyberpunk 2077 focuses more on hard drugs, but subtle references exist to smoking tobacco and cannabis. Developers hope to include more explicit mentions and references to weed in the near future.
Denys Svirepchuk wrote this article. Denys dedicates his time and experience to educating the general public on marijuana and its by-products. By looking at its reference to the popular game Cyberpunk 2077, he only hopes to show how mainstream cannabis use has become. This representation only seeks to bolster people’s support for cannabis use in general.
